About us - Summertown Arts Community

A creative hub in the heart of North Oxford.

Summertown Arts is the registered charity that runs the arts programme at Summertown URC. We host dance, music, theatre, visual arts and spoken word - from regular weekly classes to one-off festivals and exhibitions.

We're small and independent. Our income comes from room hire, donations and grants, and every penny goes back into keeping the building open, accessible and full of activity.

The building itself is a Victorian former church with a sprung wooden floor, soaring ceilings and rooms of every size. It's a working space first - patched, repainted, much-loved.

The Summertown Arts Community.

Around the charity sits a wider community - the artists, teachers, students, volunteers, audiences and neighbours who keep the place alive.

Some have been with us for decades; some walked in last Tuesday. There's no membership card and no audition - just a building, a kettle, and a long list of things happening this week.

Friends of Summertown Arts support us with regular donations and get first dibs on tickets, studio space and our slightly chaotic newsletter.

Become a friend

The people you'll meet.

Visual artists

Antonia Bruce

Visual artist and convenor of Drawing Dance.

Artistic Director

Susie Crow

Former Royal Ballet dancer and founder of Ballet in Small Spaces. Curates our dance and movement strand and still teaches three classes a week.

Visual artist

Cathy Mills

Runs Art Classes Oxford from her studio at the URC, looks after our visual arts residents, and has been drawing in this building for twenty-five years.

Bookings manager

Peter Peter

On site most days. Bookings, keys, kettles, last-minute fixes - Marcus knows where everything is and which radiator needs a kick.

Our trustees.

Summertown Arts is governed by a volunteer board of trustees who meet quarterly and oversee our finances, safeguarding and long-term plans. We're always interested in hearing from people who might like to join.